'Industry’s book-to-bill ratio has returned to parity'

Year to date, rigid PCB shipments increased 4.4% and bookings declined 8.9%. Compared to the previous month, rigid PCB shipments increased 15.3% and rigid bookings increased 10.4%. The book-to-bill ratio for the North American rigid PCB industry in June 2011 was slightly below parity at 0.98. © IPC Flexible circuit shipments in June 2011 were down 5.9% and bookings grew 30.8% compared to June 2010. Year to date, flexible circuit shipments increased 10.1% and bookings also increased 10.1%. Compared to the previous month, flexible circuit shipments increased 4.7% and flex bookings climbed by 21.9%. The North American flexible circuit book-to-bill ratio in June 2011 jumped to 1.13. © IPC For rigid PCBs and flexible circuits combined, industry shipments in June 2011 increased 4.4% from June 2010, as orders booked decreased 4.2% from June 2010. Year to date, combined industry shipments were up 4.8% and bookings were down 7.3%. Compared to the previous month, combined industry shipments for June 2011 increased 14.4% and bookings increased 11.5%. The combined (rigid and flex) industry book-to-bill ratio in June 2011 reached parity at 1.00. © IPC “The industry’s book-to-bill ratio has returned to parity due to unusually high growth in flexible circuit orders in June,” said IPC President & CEO Denny McGuirk. “This indicates strong sales in the flex segment over the next several months. Rigid PCB sales growth is still positive but trending downward due to weaker orders.” © IPC ----- Note: All images have a zoom-function.